Khalin Joshi Dominates Day 3 at Andhra Open 2026 with Three-Shot Lead
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Visakhapatnam, April 9 (NationPress) Khalin Joshi shot a solid one-under 70 during the third round, increasing his lead to three shots with a score of seven-under 206 at the INR 1 crore Andhra Open 2026 held at the East Point Golf Club in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. The 33-year-old from Bengaluru, who has won six times previously, started the tournament with impressive rounds of 68 and 68, giving him a comfortable cushion as he heads into the final round.
In a tie for second place at four-under 209 are Yash Majmudar from Dubai (71-69-69) and Delhi's Rashid Khan (70-72-67). Majmudar managed a 69 today, while Rashid delivered the best round of the day with a 67, putting him back in contention.
Joshi's performance today was marked by a remarkable recovery after a difficult start that featured three three-putts early on. He regained momentum with a birdie on the seventh, tapping in after his approach left him just inches from the hole, and followed it up with a vital eagle on the par-5 12th, sinking a 15-footer.
“I didn’t have the best start, but I maintained my patience and trusted my ball-striking. My driving and iron play were solid, so I just need to keep my putting consistent. I’m proud of how I handled myself on the course despite that rocky beginning and fought back well on the back nine. As I approach the final round, I've been in similar situations before, so I just need to stay focused and execute good shots,” Joshi commented.
The par-5 seventh hole has been changed to a 477-yard par-4, reducing the overall course par to 71.
Majmudar, a graduate of San Diego University, showcased his unique one-handed chipping technique throughout the round. He appeared poised to close the gap to two shots but a bogey on the final hole saw him drop back into a tie for second.
Rashid, a two-time Asian Tour champion, made a strong push with a remarkable round of 67, which featured an eagle, five birdies, and three bogeys. Kolkata's Viraj Madappa (69-71-71), the youngest Indian winner on the Asian Tour, shared fourth place at two-under 211 with Greater Noida's Arjun Sharma (71-70-70), known for his consistent performances on the DP World PGTI.
Currently ranked 55th on the DP World PGTI Order of Merit, Joshi is in an excellent position to break a four-year title drought, with his last victory occurring in Coimbatore in August 2022. With a three-shot lead, he will aim to maintain his composure in the final round as he seeks to secure his seventh professional title.